Dec 19, 2015: Jeff Lynne Joins Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers For Surprise Set

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Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty via YouTube screen cap

Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty on December 19, 2015

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers played their first show of 2015 on December 19 – a surprise set during Mike Campbell and Jonathan Wilson’s fourth annual Merry Minstrel Musical Circus: A Holiday Gathering & Jamathon at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Joining Petty onstage was none other than longtime Petty collaborator Jeff Lynne.

Since regular Heartbreakers drummer Steve Ferrone was unavailable, Dirty Knobs drummer Matt Laug filled his role for tunes like “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and classic rock covers like “Little Red Rooster” and “I’m A Man.” (See below for the complete set list.)

Watch them cover Bo Diddley

The night also featured the rest of Campbell’s side band Dirty Knobs, Dawes, Jackson Browne, Duane Betts, and members of My Morning Jacket.

Lynne had recently powered up ELO after a much too long hiatus (since re-named Jeff Lynne’s ELO) and released Alone in the Universe in November 2015.

Watch Jeff Lynne joining in on the Traveling Wilburys’ “Poor House”

And a rollicking (is there any other kind?) performance of “Roll Over Beethoven”

Ironically, the Heartbreakers’ most recent tour date had been on October 11, 2014 at a slightly larger venue: the Forum in Los Angeles. Those in attendance this night surely got their money’s worth.

Watch a TPATH favorite

Watch the set finale

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, December 19, 2015, Set list

Cabin Down Below
Little Red Rooster
I’m A Man
13 Days
Dogs On The Run
Runaway (with Jeff Lynne)
Poor House (with Jeff Lynne)
Roll Over Beethoven (with Jeff Lynne)
Mary Jane’s Last Dance
Runnin’ Down A Dream

Campbell’s the Dirty Knobs released their debut LP, Wreckless Abandon, in 2020, a follow-up, External Combustion, in 2022, and Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits in 2024. They’re available here. When they tour, tickets are available here.